TWO Winsford men have been jailed for drug dealing and possession of a firearm.

Craig Batin, 31, of Dart Walk, was jailed for three and a half years when he appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Wednesday. Accomplice Paul Sharkey, 23, of Park Avenue, was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment.

Batin was charged with possession of a firearm, possession and intent to supply Ecstasy and amphetamines. He was also sentenced for possession of cocaine and cannabis, and breach of a community service order.

Sharkey was jailed for being concerned in the supply of amphetamines, possession of Ecstasy, amphetamines, and cannabis, and possession of a knife.

The charges arose from an incident in February at Batin's home in Dart Walk.

Sergeant Darren Hebden, a member of the Cheshire Police Drug Squad team involved in the investigation, said the duo were arrested following a surveillance operation which had been triggered by information received from various sources.

He said: 'We believe that the drugs seized would have ended up in the local pubs and clubs in Winsford because the type of drugs we are talking about, Ecstasy and amphetamines, are the clubbers' choice.'